Lubricant and fuel mixing tank



United States Patent LUBRICANT AND FUEL MIXING TANK Victor E. Everett, Plymouth, N.C.

Application October 30, 1957, Serial No. 693,427

1 Claim. (Cl. 137-576) This invention relates to a tank for use in mixing a lubricant and a fuel such as gasoline.

4The object of the invention is to provide a mixing device which is adapted to be used for accurately mixing together a lubricant and fuel, as for example, when such a mixture is to be used for a two cycle gasoline engine or motor so that the lubricant and fuel can be automatically proportioned.

Another object of the invention is to provide a lubricant and fuel mixing device which includes a tank that has a container arranged therein, there being a valve mechanism for insuring that the lubricant and fuel are mixed in the proper proportions, as for example, when such a mixture is to be used for supplying fuel and lubricant to a gasoline engine such as an outboard motor or engine.

Another object of the invention is to provide a lubricant and fuel mixing tank which is extremely simple and inexpensive to manufacture.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent during the course of the following description.

lIn the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this application, and in which like numerals are used to designate like parts throughout the same.

Figure l is a longitudinal sectional view taken through the mixing device of the present invention, and showing the valves in open position.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary sectional View similar to Figure l, but showing fthe cap removed and the valves in closed position.

Figure 3 is a sectional View taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 2.

Referring in detail to the drawings, the numeral indicates the mixing device of the present invention which includes a hollow tank 1.1 that comprises a top Wall 12 and a bottom wall 13. .The numeral 14 indicates a hollow container which is positioned in the tank 11, and the container 14 includes a bottom portion 15 and a top portion `16 and the container 14 further includes an outer wall member 17.

`There is provided in the top portion 16 of the container 1-4 a lling opening 18, and extending upwardly from the top portion 16 and surrounding the filling opening 18 is an externally threaded neck 19. The numeral 20 indicates a cap or closure which includes a threaded collar 21 which is arranged in threaded engagement with the neck 19.

Positioned within the container 14 is a horizontally disposed bar 22 which has its ends supported in bearing members 23, Figure 3. The numeral 24 indicates a rocker arm which is mounted on the bar 22, and a pair of links 25 extend in opposite directions from the rocker arm 24 and are pivotally connected thereto. .The other ends of each of the links 25 are connected to valve members 26 which are arranged in engagement with conduit members 27. The pair of valve members 26 are adapted to operate in unison, as the rocker arm 24 is moved.

A means is provided for moving rocker arm 24 so as to 2,908,289 Patented Oct. 13, 1959 cause the pair of valve members 26 to operate in unison, and this means comprises a plunger or rod 28 which slidably projects through the top portion `16 of the container 14, and the rod 28 `has its lower end connected to the rocker arm 24. A handle 29 is mounted on the upper end of the rod 28, and a spring member 30 is circumposed on the rod `28, the spring member 30 being positioned within the container 14. The upper end of the spring member 30 is adapted to be secured in place to the -top portion 16 of the container 14 as at 31, while the lower end of the spring member 30 is anchored to the rod 28 as at 32. The numeral 33 indicates securing elements such as bolt and nut assemblies or screws which are adapted to be used for connecting the top portion 16 of the container -14 to the upper portion of the tank 11.

The numeral 34 indicates a gauge mechanism which includes a buoyant body member 35 that has an arm 36 connected thereto, and the arm 36 serves to actuate a gear-rack device 37 which is used for actuating a dial gauge 38. .The numeral 39 indicates the outlet pipe or conduit which is adapted to be used for supplying the mixture of fuel and lubricant to the engine such as the two cycle gasoline engine or motor.

From the foregoing, it is apparent that there has been provided a simple and accurate device whereby lubricant and fuel can be mixed and supplied to an engine such as a two cycle gasoline engine and wherein the lubricant and fuel will be automatically proportioned. As shown in the drawings, there is a remote tank 11 which can be used for supplying fuel and lubricant to an outboard motor or other engine. Arranged within the tank 11 is an inner lubricant container 14 and this container is preferably symmetrical from top to bottom and when the container `14 is full, it will contain the exact amount of lubricant required to give a proper mixture to the fuel in the tank `11 when the tank also is full. The valves 26 provide a connection between the tank 11 and container 14 and these Valves 26 are open and closed by means of the plunger 28. When the plunger 28 is lifted by means of the handle 29, the valves 26 are closed as shown in Figure 2, and when the plunger 28 is in lowered position as shown in Figure 1, the valves 26 are opened. lf the tank 11 is to be lled with fuel, regardless of how much it might contain at fthe particular time, the cap 20 is opened or removed and the plunger 28 moves upwardly so as to close the valves 26. Then, the container 14 is filled with the lubricant. Next, the plunger 28 is depressed and the tank is dlled with fuel through fthe opening 18. The lubricant and fuel will flow into the tank 11 through the conduit members 27. When the tank 11 is in use, the plunger 28 remains depressed or in lowered position so as to permit a free ow of the mixture through the device. The numeral 38 indicates a dial gauge so that with the valves open, the dial gauge 38 will indicate the level in the main tank also, so as to eliminate the need of additional gauges. The lubricant is rst added with the Valves closed, and the amount is noted, and then the valves are opened and a similar amount of fuel is added.

With the plunger 28 depressed, the fuel is added and the increase is noted on the gauge. Then, the plunger 28 is lifted so as to close the valves 26. Then, the lubricant is added until the gauge registers exactly the same increase as it did when the fuel was added and then the plunger is depressed so as to permit the fuel and lubricant to mix.

Thus, it will be seen that there has been provided a device for automatically proportioning lubricant and fuel, as for example, when such a mixture is to be used in a two cycle gasoline motor. The container 14 is preferably a separate unit from the tank `11 as shown in the drawings, and the bolts or screws 33 can be used for connecting or anchoring the container 14 in place. The plunger 28 has its handle 29 arranged so that it will abut the cap 20 when the parts are in the position of Figure 1 so that when the ller cap 20 is removed, the plunger 28 will be released whereby .the spring member 30 can urge the plunger 28 and its associated pants upwardly whereby the valves will be closed until the lubricant is added and the spring member 30 holds the valves closed while the plunger is up. Furthermore, since the handle 29 is under the cap 20, the plunger will have to stay down and the` valves will remain open while in operation.

The above description of the invention is for illustrative purposes only and it is understood that modifications may be made in the construction within the scope and spirit of the following claim. Y

What is claimed is:

In a lubricant and fuel mixer, a tank including a bottom wall and top wall, an outlet pipe extending from said bottom wall, a container positioned within said tank and including an outer wall member, a bottom portion and a top portion, there being a lling opening in the top portion of said container, a neck extending upwardly from said top portion and surrounding said filling opening, a cap including a collar engaging said neck, means Cir 4 for removably securing the top portion of said container to the exterior surface of the top wall of said tank, a bar mounted in said container transversely thereof and intermediate the upper and lower ends thereof, a rocker arm mounted on said bar, a pair of links extending in opposite direction from said rocker arm and pivotally connected thereto, conduit members mounted adjacent the upper and lower ends of said container, a valve connected to each of said conduit members, and said links being connected to said valves, a rod extending through the top portion of said container and dening a plunger and said rod having its lower end connected to said rocker arm, a handle on the upper end of said rod for engagement with said cap to maintain said rod in depressed position and said valves in open position, and a spring member circumposed on said rod and positioned within said container.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNlTED STATES PATENTS 314,692 Leavitt Mar. 31, 1885 2,161,060 Kelsey June 6, 1939 2,788,801 Mowat Apr. 16, 1957 2,814,308 Mowat Nov. 26, 1957 

